Indian Army To Operate Attack Chopper Units

In what is being seen as a crucial victory for the Indian Army after a long-standing spat with the Indian Air Force, the government today accorded clearance to the Army to operate its own attack helicopter units.

India currently has two attack helicopter units, both under the command and control of the Army, but flown and maintained by IAF pilots and personnel. Seems pretty clear that the government's approval today means (a) that the two Mi-25/35 flights under two helicopter units will soon be flown by Army Aviation pilots (the choppers are in IAF livery) and the IAF will raise new units to house the 22 new attack helicopters (prospectively, the Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III) and, later, the Light Combat Helicopter. (b) The Mi-25/35s will be transferred to IAF command and control, while the Army raises new units and floats fresh requirements (it already stands to receive the Dhruv-WSI), or (c) a status quo on command and control of the current units, until new platforms enter service.

^^^ Well it's a beginning & Better late than never. Me feels that the Army probably has the largest requirement for attack choppers & depending upon how this goes (no one now would really wanna ruffle any (IAF)feathers) IA may actually end up flying Apaches/ Mi-28 & the LCH as well n probably in larger numbers.
Just my 2 cents.

In what is being seen as a crucial victory for the Indian Army after a long-standing spat long-standing spat with the Indian Air Force, the government today accorded clearance to the Army to operate its own attack helicopter units.

India currently has two attack helicopter units, both under the command and control of the Army, but flown and maintained by IAF pilots and personnel. Seems pretty clear that the government's approval today means (a) that the two Mi-25/35 flights under two helicopter units will soon be flown by Army Aviation pilots (the choppers are in IAF livery) and the IAF will raise new units to house the 22 new attack helicopters (prospectively, the Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III) and, later, the Light Combat Helicopter. (b) The Mi-25/35s will be transferred to IAF command and control, while the Army raises new units and floats fresh requirements (it already stands to receive the Dhruv-WSI), or (c) a status quo on command and control of the current units, until new platforms enter service.

^^^ Well it's a beginning & Better late than never. Me feels that the Army probably has the largest requirement for attack choppers & depending upon how this goes (no one now would really wanna ruffle any (IAF)feathers) IA may actually end up flying Apaches/ Mi-28 & the LCH as well n probably in larger numbers.
Just my 2 cents.

The news suggest that LCA would be handed to IAF, I think if MoD considers that IAF got enough assets then they will pass some to the IA, moreover both Mi-24/35 and Rudra have the capability to carry troops along with guns while Apache and LCA will be dedicated strike platform with no troop carrying capacity. I think MoD is not gonna arm Army Aviation at the expense of IAF capabilities.

The news suggest that LCA would be handed to IAF, I think if MoD considers that IAF got enough assets then they will pass some to the IA, moreover both Mi-24/35 and Rudra have the capability to carry troops along with guns while Apache and LCA will be dedicated strike platform with no troop carrying capacity. I think MoD is not gonna arm Army Aviation at the expense of IAF capabilities.

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It is need of a particular Arm, the operational doctrine and compartmentalisation as also macro management of resources as per operational requirements that should determine the issue. Helicopter are essentially ground assets rather than air assets. Their operations are localised and limited in range suitable for ground operations. Helicopters are not instruments of air operations except for limited uses.

The news suggest that LCA would be handed to IAF, I think if MoD considers that IAF got enough assets then they will pass some to the IA, moreover both Mi-24/35 and Rudra have the capability to carry troops along with guns while Apache and LCA will be dedicated strike platform with no troop carrying capacity. I think MoD is not gonna arm Army Aviation at the expense of IAF capabilities.

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Thanks,

For Mil-24, it was operated and maintained by IAF (for IA), now IA will operate and maintain it for itself.

MoD's initial plan was much better for LCH ------ 114 LCH for IA and 65 LCH for IAF.

acepted but sir area like North east were forces like assam rifles which is contineous under conter insergency opps AH is need u short call like an ambush to petrol party or ambush on ROP.

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Singh Sahab,
Tell me how do you deploy attack hepters in thick jungles in Dantewada, narayangarh, Jagadal pur, Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Mizoram against any military threat ! These machines would only do Casualty evacuations. Let us not be theoreticians par excellence !